Tobacco-stripping machine



J. O. MORRIS.

TOB'ACCO STRIPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.25, 1915- RENEWED FEB-5,1919.

Patented Nov. 21, 1922 a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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- TOBACCO STRIPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.25,1'91s. RENEWED FEB. 5. 1919.

1,436,4UQ. Patented Nov. 21, 1922.

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Patented Nov 21, 1922.,

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Patented Nov. 23, R9 22.

UNHTEE STATES lAElbAM career cranes.

JOHN O. MORRIS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TOPLANTERS srnmmme COMPANY, OFNEW YORK,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TOBACCO-STRIPPI ING MACHINE.

Application filed September 25, 1915, Serial No. 52,570. RenewedFebruary 5, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J 011K 0. Moms, a citizenof the United States, residing at 3429 14th St. N W., Washington, in theDistrict of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Tobacco-Stripping Machines, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for stripping tobaccoleaves. The object therof is to produce an apparatus which shallautomatically performthe operation of extracting the stems from theleaves, which operation is now ordinarily performed by hand or with onlypartial success by most of the machines in use at the present time. Theabove object is attained by a machine which is simple in construction,readily operated, and which performs its functions with the minimumamount of waste. a 7

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with themachine, an apparatus which will with certainty remove any tobaccoleaves which may have passed through the machine without being stripped.Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in partpointed out herelnafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of ele- 1 ments and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe application of which-will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings, in which is illustrated one of the various possibleembodiments of the several features of the invention,

Figure 1 is an end elevation, partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a planview thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 shows more clearly details of the apparatus which are concealedin ig, 1; T

and

Fig. 5

ratus.

Briefly described, the invention embodies shows another detail of theappa- Serial No. 275,200.

mechanism for feeding tobacco leaves into a position where the stems areseized by gripping mechanism, which draws the. leaves past a strippingmechanism, and, in the presentembodiment, upon which the blade of theleaves are retained, while the stem is withdrawn therefrom and carriedaway. After the stripping operation has been effected the blade of theleaf is automatically conveyed away, while any leaves that may havepassed through the machine without being operated upon are carried awayin another direction, to be deposited in a separate receptacle.

- Referring now to the drawings, in which similar reference charactersrefer to similar parts throughout the several views, I indicatescollectively a. frame composed of upright and horizontal memberscarrying the driving mechanism for the entire machine,

as well as the means for gripping the stems of the leaves forwithdrawing them, all of which will be described hereinafter. IIindicates collectively a frame or table carrying means for feeding theleaves into position to be operated upon and for removing them after thestems have been stripped therefrom. It also carries means which co-.operate with the gripping means to effect the floor in anyv well-knownmanner. The

frames are also united by bolts 4, and the operative mechanism of eachis connected by joints which may be easily taken apart. The

- object of making the machine in two sections instead of as a unitaryframe renderscertain portions of the machine more accesslble for thepurposes of change or repalr, while it also permits the substitution ofa new section in case of breakage without rendering the other sectionuseless while the first is being repaired. This construction alsorenders the machine. more convenient for transportation. Conside i gfirst the mechanism carried by the frame I, there is shown at 5 adriving pulley which ma be belted to any source of power. The pulley 5may be operatively connected at will to the power shaft 6 by a clutch 7controlled by a rod 8 connected to a handle 9 conveniently located onthe front of the machine. The shaft 6 is mounted in bearings 10 on theframe I, and carries at the end opposite the driving pulley a pinion 11engaging a spur-wheel 12 on the end of a.- shaft 13, likewise mounted inbearings on the frame I. The spur-wheel 12 meshes with a spur-Wheel 14of equal size mounted on a shaft 15 in vertical alignment with the shaft13. Shaft 15 is mounted in bearings extending above the upper surface ofthe frame I. Fixed upon each of the shafts 13 and 15 is a pair of equalsprocket-wheels, 16 indicating the pair on the lower shaft 13, while 17indicates the pair on the upper shaft 15. At the forward side of theframe I is a pair of shafts 18, 19, mounted in closely adjacent bearingson an extension 20 of said frame. Upon each of these shafts is a pair ofsmall sprocket-wheels, 21 indicating the lower pair and 22 the upperpair. Each of these sprocket-wheels is connected to a corresponding oneof the larger sprocketwheels 16, 17 by a chain. The lower pair of chainsis designated by 23, while the upper pair is designated by 24. The lowersprocket-chains carrya series of grippingbars 25, while the upper chainscarry a corresponding series 26, these constituting the stem grippingmeans of the drawing mechanism. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, thegripping-bars are arranged in pairs upon the chains. While in thisfigure two pairs are shown, it will be understood that any number ofpairs may be used. The gripping-bars on the lower chains are arranged toco-operate with the ripping-bars on the upper chains immediate y afterpassing over the small sprocket-wheels 21 and 22 as the chains travel inthe direction indicated. The purpose of arranging the gripping-bars inpairs as shown is to provide for obtaining a sure and strong hold uponthe stems of the tobacco leaves, as will more fully appear hereinafter,when the operation of the apparatus is considered.

bacco to pull them from the leaves.

The construction of the gripping-bars appears most clearly in Figs. 2and 4, from which it will be seen that each one of them compriseselongated portions 27 having lugs 28 by which they may be bolted to thesprocket chains. The co-operating faces of the gripping-bars are shownin Fig. 4 in the position occupied when adjacent each other, at whichtime, in the operation of the apparatus, they engage the stems of theto- As the gripping-bars come over the small sprocketwheels21 and 22 theedges 29 thereof first engage the stems, after which the latter arepressed between the curved faces to lessen any tendency to draw awayfrom the clamping edges 29.

To hold the gripping-bars in engagement while moving rearwardly, each ofthe lower sprocket-chains 23 passes over a guide 30, while each of theupper sprocket-chains passes underneath a guide 31. These guides areattached to plates 32 suspended from rods 33,which also serve to bracethe top of the frame I.

For moving the apparatus carried upon the frame II, which will behereinafter described, there is provided on the end of shaft 13 amutilated spur-wheel 35 having teeth out on only a portion of itsperiphery. Meshing with this spur-wheel is a pinion 36 on a stub shaft37 mounted at one end in a bearing on the frame and at the other end ina bearing on a bracket 38 attached to the frame. Bracket 38 has also abearing 39 carrying a shaft 40. On shafts 37 and 40 are co-operatingmembers 41 and 42 of a bevel gear. The opposite end of the shaft 40 hasattached thereto a universal joint connection 43, the other end of whichis attached to the driving mechanism of the second frame II in a mannerwhich will appear more clearly hereinafter. The universal jointconnection 43 is constructed so as to be easily separated when theframes I and II are taken apart, as previously described. The shaft 13has also mounted upon it a sprocket-wheel 44, the purpose of which is todrive, by means of a chain 45, a cleaning brush on the frame 11, as willbe later described.

Passing now to a consideration of the frame II and the apparatus mountedthereon, it will be seen that this frame comprises vertical supportingmembers 50, of which three are shown in the present instance, though ofcourseany number may be used. At the top of these members, a pair ofrods 51 pass through seats 52. On each of the rods 51 are pairs ofupwardly extending brackets 53. The upper surface of each bracket isflat, and on those toward the left-hand end of the machine, as viewed inFig. 3, are members 54 having bearings 55 for a shaft56. There arecorresponding members 54 on the other brackets of the frame, but theyhave no bearings. Mounted on the tops of the members 54 is a shelf 57which, in the present case, is shown constructed of wood, but it will beunderstood that it may be constructed of metal, if desired. Attached tothe rear edge of theshelf and extending over a portion of its length isan upright gauge-board 59 for aligning the stems of the tobacco leaves,as will appear more clearly hereinafter.

The shaft 56 has attached thereto,between the bearings at its ends, aflanged drum 60. The rear end of the Shaft 56 is. attached to dependingfrom the rods 51.}

1I1.F1g. 5,8, guide 80 is provided. This guide is mounted upon a.shaft'SLeXtBndin'g between opposite a one end of the universal jointconnection 43,

which, as previously described, is connectedto the driving mechanism offrame 1.

Near its center the shelf 57 is provided with anaperture 57 and upon theportions of the shelf at the ends of the aperture is a pair of brackets61 each-having a slot therein through which a bolt 62 passes. Thismanner of mounting permits the brackets 61 to be adjusted longitudinallyof the shelf. F or Convenience in making the adjustments bolts 63attached to the members 54 at one end and passing through depending endsof the brackets 61 at the other end are provided. The brackets 61 havebearings in which is mounted a shaft 64, to which is attached a drum 65in all respects similar tothe drum 60, and having its-top extendingthrough the aperture 57'. Over the two drums passes a belt 66, which,for convenience, will be designated the stripping belt. The tension of tis belt may be adjusted by varying the position of the brackets 61, asjust described. The belt 66 passes over the top surface of the shelf 57in the upper portion of its travel.

The endless stripping belt may be of any suitable material, and attachedor anchored to its outer surface near the rear edge there-- wiresorcords 71, below the outer ends of the teeth of the card-cloth, which,after passing off of the card-cloth, outside the path of travel of theteeth thereof, are led over pairs of pulleays 72 and 73, and, pairs'74eand 75 mounte on shafts carried brackets 76 The pulleys 72 at the;left-hand end of-the machine, as shown in Fig. 3, are mounted onscrewthreaded brackets 77 attached to the memg bers 54. The'pulleys 73near the center of the machine are mounted on a shaft carried betweenbrackets 78 -mountedon the rods 51. The tension of the wires or cords 71is main- "'tainedby, weights 79. hung thereon by pulleys. Since oneofthe .wires or cords. 71

passes. through the groove 69 between-"the pins of the card-cloth, aeshown most clearly the two brackets 78 and has ajcertain amount ofplaywith respect to said shaft, so that. it

'- will follow any variations inposition of the greevie 69 as the stripcf card clothipasses over the drum 65.

strippedleaf, but this The guide 89 is. held against the card-cloth by aweight 82, and at its upper end is provided with a slot through whichthe wire or cord 71 is guided. Instead of using continuous cords" or rwires passing over. pulleys, as described above, cords 70 or wires maybelaid. along the card-cloth and fixed at their ends to the shafts uponwhich pulleys 72 and 73 are mounted, or the ends may be retained in anyother convenient manner. the clearer wires 71 lies partly within andpartly without the field of teeth on the belt 66, so that as said beltmoves around pulley 60 the stripping teeth move transversely past thiswire and thereby clear the teeth of leaf to material.

A second belt 85, which for convenience will be designated as a feed, athrow-0E or separating belt and which is somewhat narrower than thestemming belt 66 and lies within the edges of the latter belt, in frontof the card-cloth, is laid over the latter, but extends beyond the sameat each end. Thus the teeth of the cardcloth are exposed in rear of thebelt 85. over a roller 86 mounted on'a shaft 87 which extends between apair of brackets having two parts 88 and 89, similar to the parts 53 and54 of the other brackets except that an extension 90 is provided havingbearings for a second shaft 91 with a drum 92 longitudinally adjustablethereon. At the other end of the machine the belt 85 passes over a drum65"on a shaft 64 'adjustabl'y mounted upon the under side of the shelf57 by means simi- 10o lar to that described in connection with the drum65 and indicated at 61' 62 63. The belt 85 is driven, bymeans of asprocket chain 85 connected between a sprocket wheel 56' on the shaft 56and a sprocket wheel 87 on the shaft 87 of the drum 86 over which thebelt passes.

Around the drum 92 is passed a third belt 93 much narrower than-eitherof the others and extending around a drum 94C, likewise 11longitudinally adjustable upon a shaft 95,

which, at thefront edge of the machine, ,is supported in a bearing on abracket 96 attached to the shelf 57. The other end of the shaft 95- iscoupled .to a shaft of a part of .115

the machine now to be described. The inner,# or rear edgeof the belt 93is within or spaced from the inner, orrear,'edge of the belt 85, so asnot to interfere with the properly with unstripped or partially strippedleaves and discharge themapart from the stripped le'af..

Mounted at the rear edge of-the shelf 57 is a support 97 having' abearing 98 at the up-. per end and a-bracket 99 extending from its side.Bracket 99 has a vertical front face 100 which'comes substantially overthe rear edge of the stemming belt 66. Attached to the frontface 100 isone end of a member It will be perceived that one of 75 At one end itpasses 90 belt 93 will cooperate 12o 101, which, together with thebracket 99 are each provided with a slot. These slots are at rightangles to each other and at the point of intersection is a bolt 102 forclamping the member 101 in slightly different positions of adjustmentwith relation to bracket 99. To provide for a fine adjustment of theformer with respect to the latter in a vertical direction, a screw 103is threaded through a rearward extension at the top of member 101 andbears upon the upper edge of bracket 99.

The right-hand end of member 101 has a forked extension, the two arms ofwhich are designated 104 and 105. Each arm is adjusting screw 108 in theproper direction.

In the bearing-98 previously referred to i is a shaft 110, on the rearend of which is a spur-gear 111 engaging a pinion 112, which in turnmeshes with a pinion 113 of spurgear 114 fastened to the shaft 56. Thelastnamed shaft is the one to which the universal joint 43 is attachedand by which the moving parts of frame II are driven. The pinions 112.and 113 are mounted in pairs of arms 115 and 116, the common ends ofwhich form bearings for the shaft of pinion '112, while the other endsthereof are formed as collars about the shafts 110 and 56, respectivelOn the shaft 110 is also a pulley 117, whi e between the arms 104 and105 is a shaft 118 having a similar pulley 119 thereon. Over the pulleys117 and 119 is a leaf presser belt 120, illustrated as circular" incross section and narrower than the card cloth 13 and guided in agrooved channel 121 at the bottom of member 101. The pulleys 117 and 119are so located as to bring the belt 120 in the lowermost portion of itstravel directly over the channel 69 in the strip of card-cloth 68, andthe belt covers more or lessof the card-cloth. The belt, in

passing through the groove 121, is held in proximity to the card-cloththroughout the entire length of its lower ply and, by means of theadjustments hereinbefore described, the distance of the belt from thetops of the pins of the card-cloth, as well as its parallelism with thesame, may be accurately adjusted. During the stripping operation thebelt 120 may engage the leaf below the ends of the pins of thecard-cloth.

The shaft 95 of the drum 94, previously described, is connected to theshaft 118 by a coupling 122 which has-a slight amount of flexibility inorder to take care of any variation in position of the shaft 118 withrespect to the fixed bearing 96 at the other end of the shaft 95.

i The invention is not to be understood as limited to the use of a plainbelt 120, as dey scribed, for a belt having a strip of cardcloth thereinadapted-to co-operate in stripping the' leaves from the stems may beused.

In such an event the card-cloth may also be' provided with a channel andcords or wires similar to those used in connection with card-cloth 68,and for the same purpose ma be applied to the apparatus.

11 cross-bars of two members 50 of the frame II are brackets 125 withbearings, in I which is mounted a shaft 126. On the said shaft is abrush 127 having two sets of bristles which engage the card-cloth 68 asit travels underneath the shelf 57. 126 is rotated by the sprocket-wheel128, over The shaft which the chain 45, previously referred to,

passes.

Laid close to the rearedge of the belt 85 is a wire or cord 129, which,at the left-hand end of the machine, passes over the drum 86' and thenover a pulley 130 mounted on a shaft carried by brackets. 131, which mayconveniently be formed as extensions of the brackets 88. This wire orcord then passes over the drum 65 and then over a third pulley similarto the pulley 73 and mounted on the same shaft on the brackets 78. Thewire or cord is then ledunderneath the machine, over a pulley 132 onbracket 133, the proper tension of the wire or cord being maintained bya weight 134. As in the case of wires or cords 71, the wire or cord 129in-' stead of being continuous may be fixed at its ends in-anyappropriate manner, and its mode of operation is generally similar tothat of the wires 71.

Mounted at the forward edge of the shelf 57 is a pair of brackets 140,and at the rear of the shelf is a pair of brackets 141. The

first named pair of brackets may be mounted upon the upper surface ofthe shelf, but the last named pair should be attached to the edge of theshelf so as not to interfere with the passage of tobacco leaves alongtheshelf as occurs in the operation of the apparatus. In bearings at thetops of the brackets, are shafts 142, each of which carries a flangeddrum 143. A leaf presser belt 144 is passed over the drums and theheight of the brackets is such that the lower portion of this belt comesin contact with the upper surface of belt 85. A chain' of rollers 145suspended from arms 146 attached to colla-rs 147 loosely mounted uponthe shafts 142 aids materially in insuring this contact. On the rear endof the right hand shaft 142 is a pulley 148, while on the rear end ofthe shaft 64', at the extreme left hand end of the ma- I practice, itmay be Lesaeoa chine, is a pulley 149, which is connected to the pulley148 by a cross belt 150. It will be seen that when the shaft 64' isrotated by the travel of the belt 85, the shaft 142 and drum 143 mountedthereon will be rotated in a direction to cause the belt 144 in thelower most portion of its travel to move with the portion of the belt85, with which it is immediately in contact.

At the rear of the shelf 57 is also mounted a pair of brackets 151.These brackets should laso be attached to the edge of the shelf 57, soas not to interfere with the passage of tobacco leaves along the shelf,as ocours in the operation of the device. Mounted inthe upper ends ofthe brackets 151 is a shaft 152 carrying a brush 153 composed of twosections of bristles like the brush 127, previously described. The brush.153 is continuously driven by a sprocket chain154 passing over asprocket wheel on the end ofthe shaft 150, and another the end of shaft15. The purpose of the brush 153 is to remove a portion of the leaf fromthe stem in order that the latter may be left clean to be seized by thegrippin bars to efiect the stripping operation.

sprocket wheel on cleaning or butting operation will be facilie tated ifthe shelf 57 is inclined or cut away immediately underneath the brush153 so as to insure that the bristles of the brush shall pass on bothsides of the stems of the leaves.

In the practical operation of the machine explained above it is startedin operation by throwin in the clutch by the operating handle 9. ower isthen transmitted from the driving pulley 5 to the spur-wheels 12 and 14,which rotate continuously during the operation of the machine. Thesespurwheels cause the respective pairs of chains 23 and 24 to travel inthe directions indi cated on Fig. 4, bringing the gripping-bars carriedthereon in contact as they pass around the sprocket-wheels 21 and 22.Owing to the mutilated gear 35, pinion 36 associated therewith will becaused to rotate intermittently, but during the times that it is inoperation will transmit motion, through the bevel gears 41 and 42, andthe universal joint connection 43 to the shaft 56 of frame II.

Shaft 56 in rotating will cause the stripping belt 66 to travel in thedirection indicated by the arrows on Fig. 3. At the same time theseparating belt 85 will also be caused to travel in a correspondingdirection by the rotationof drum 86 by the sprocket chain 85. At thesame time that the belts 66 and 85 are being caused to travel, the belt120 is driven by the train of gears 114, 113, 112, 111, and the belt 144is driven from the crossed belt 150.

The tobacco leaves to be operated upon are laid upon the separating belt85 with their found that this stembutt ends aligned up against thegaugeboard 59, as shown in Fig. 2. During the periods when the belts 66,operation the leaves will be carried between the belts 85 and 144, andwhen these belts are not in motion there will be some leaves firmly heldbetween them at which time the brush 153 will remove portions of theleaves from their stems leaving the butts clean. Further movement of thebelts will carry the leaves from under the belt 144, at the same timebringing the stems over the strip of card-cloth at the rear edge of belt66.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the parts of the apparatusare so proportioned and the relation of the mutilated gear 35 to thetravel of the gripping-bars such that the travel of all the belts alwaysceases as the leading ones of a co-operating pair of gripping-bars comeover the sprocket-wheels 21 and 22. At this time a number of leaves willhave been conveyed into such a position that their stems will be caughtby the leading gripping-bars and drawn rearwardly through the card-cloth68, being pressed and 'kept in the field of pins thereof by the upperbelt 120, which, as previously described, is held closely adjacent theupper surface of the card-cloth field by the grooved channel 121 at thebottom of member 101. During this operation the stems will be removedfrom the leaves. If, for any reason, the leading gripping-bars fail toengage the stems of any of the leaves, the following bars may do so, andin any event the following bars serve as an auxiliary means to assist inwithdrawing the stems from the leaves. After the two pairs ofgripping-bars have traveled rearwardly a distance greater than thelength of" the longest stems, the mutilated gear'35 again comes intoengagement with the pinion 36 and the belt 66 resumes its travel. Theleaves which have been stripped will be more or less rolled up upon thecard-cloth 68, and as the latter travels with the belt they will becarried toward the left-hand end of the machine, as viewed in Figs. 2and 3. At the same time the belt 85 will bring a new supply of tobaccoleaves in .a1position to have their stems caught by the second pair ofco-operating gripping-bars as they come over the sprockets 18 and 1,9.

It has been foundin practice that if no means are provided for clearing,or removing, the stripped leaves from the teeth of the card-cloth theymay be carried along the same underneath the machine. For the purpose offacilitating their removal the two wires 71 have been provided. As thebelt 66 and the card-cloth 68 carried thereon pass over the drum 60 thestripped portions of the leaves are carried out on the inclines of thewire 71 and drop off the same into a 85, and 144 are in properreceptacle. The advantage of pl-ac- &

ing one of the wires 71 in the channel 69 in the card-cloth will beapparent. It will come more directly under the un-stripped leaves asthey pass over the drum 60, making their removal more certain.

To provide for removing any portions of the leaves which may adhere tothe cardcloth 68 as the latter passes underneath the machine, the brush127 is provided, as previously described and it is in continuousrotation, thereby effectively cleaning the card-cloth at all times.

There is a possiblity, in the operation of a machine of this type, thata few of the leaves may go through the machine without being stripped,in which case they should not be allowed to fall in with the strippedleaves. For the purpose of removing these unstripped leaves the belt 85and mechanism associated therewith is provided. Since the unstrippedleaves are lying almost entirely upon the surface of the belt 85 whenthe latter resumes travel after a stripping operation, they will becarried along with the same and over the drum 86 at the end thereof. Thebelt 85 also tends to prevent the buckling of the card-cloth under theinfluence of the drawing operation. The card-cloth belt being flexible,a pull on the teeth tends to buckle the cloth. The belt 85 assists inpreventing this. To lessen the possibility of any of the unstrippedleaves being drawn off the belt 85 by the card-cloth 68 engaging aportion thereof, there is provided the upper belt 93, which ispreferably so adjusted with respect to the belt 85 that it does notquite engage the same at the right-hand end but does toward theleft-hand end, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. If it engaged the belt 85 atthe right-hand end there would be danger that it might hold the tips ofthe leaves sufficiently to cause them to be broken away when thegripping-bars withdrew the stems. By having the belt 93 slightly raisedat its right-hand end the leaves are not pressed closely between it andthe belt 85 until after they have passed beyond the stripping position.As the unstripped leaves pass over the drum 86 at the extreme left-handend of the machine they are depositied in a separate receptacle and maybe passed through the machine again.

It has also been found advantageous to place along the edge of the belt85 a wire 129, as previously described. This wire performs somewhat thesame function, so far as the unstripped leaves and any stripped leafwhich lies thereon are concerned, as do the wires 71 with respect .tothe stripped leaves. It may be found in practice, however, that theextra belt 93 alone is sufiicient to remove the unstripped leaves withcertainty, or the wire 129 may be used without the belt 93. The showingof these two means for assisting the removal of the unstripped leaves isfor the purpose of convenience, and it will be understood that eitherone or both may be used, as desired.

As has been previously stated, the wires 71 and 129 are maintained undertension by weights .79 and 134:, respectively. It will be found, in thepractical operation of the machine, that these wires partake of themotion of the belts with which they are closely in contact. Aspreviously explained, the wires may be fastened at their ends, in whichcase the belts will move with no corresponding motion of the wires. Theinvention is therefore not to be limited to either fixed or movablewires, but comprehends the use of both forms, as desired.

The various adjustments that may be found necessary in the course ofthe'operation of the device have been described in connection with theexplanation of the construction thereof, and it is believed unnecessaryto review the same again. It may be stated, however, that while theforward support 96 of the shaft 95 has been shown fixed, becauseordinarily the displacement of the other end of the shaft, caused byslight alteration of the position of the shaft 119, to which it iscoupled, will not be sufficient to produce an appreciable effect uponthe position of the drum 94, it will be understood that the bearing 96may be made adjustable, if desired.

It will be noted that in operation the unstemmed tobacco leaves areplaced on the feed belt 85 and thereby are fed to stripping positionbetween the lower stripping device, or card cloth 68, on the belt 66,and the upper device or belt 120, which coacts with the lower card clothand, when the upper belt is of the card cloth type previously mentioned,the upper and lower devices form a pair of such devices which coact topresent a substantially continuous stripping medium which travelsalongside the feed belt 85 and at the same speed as the latter. Thegrippers 25 and 26 seize the stems of the tobacco leaves and draw themthrough this stripping mechanism, in a direction different from that inwhich the feed belt 85 travels, as will be understood. As the strippingmechanism 0 erates it is wholly or partially cleared of t e strippedleaf or blades, by the wires Z1, the wires coacting to lift the strippedleaf from the card cloth as soon as the stripping operation iscompleted. The belts 66 and 120 are in parallel planes, as distinct fromplanes inclined to each other, so that co-operation with the leaves isbetter efi'ected, and the leaves do not tend to slide from the strippingmedium.

It will therefore be seen that there is provided apparatus well adaptedto accomv structurally considered, the apparatus is of the greatestpossible simplicity which the nature thereof will permit, and is welladapted to be made at a minimum of cost' and to be readily assembledinto a neat and compact arrangement for accomplishing the purposesint-ended.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

,Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a beltprovided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said meansbeing formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating beltopposite said channel for pressing the leaves upon said leaf-strippingmeans, means to engage the stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, andmeans associated with said leaf-stripping means for removing the leavesfrom the same after the stems have been withdrawn.

2. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a beltprovided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said meansbeing formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating beltfor pressing the leaves upon said leafstripping means, means to engagethe stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and means associated .Withsaid leaf-stripping means and passing through the channel thereinfor-removing said leaves after the I stems have been withdrawn.

3. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a beltprovided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said meansbeing formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating beltfor pressing the leaves upon said leafstripping means, means to engagethe stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and wires or cordsassociated with said leafstripping means for removing the leaves fromthe same after the stems have been withdrawn.

4. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a beltprovided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said meansbeing formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operat-ing beltfor pressing the leaves upon said leafstripping means, means to engagethe stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and a wire or cordassociated with said leaf-strip ping means and passing through thechannel therein for removing said leaves after the stems have beenwithdrawn.

5. A tobacco stripping machine compris mg, in combination, a beltprovided With leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said meansbeing formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating beltfor pressing the leaves upon said leafstripping means, means to engagethe stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, a wire or cord associatedwith said leaf-stripping means and passing through the channel thereinfor removing said leaves after the stems have been withdrawn, andguiding means for said wire.

6. A tobacco stripping machine compris ing, in combination, a beltprovided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said meansbeing formed wit-h a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating beltfor pressing the leaves upon said leaf-stripping means, means to engagethe stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and a plurality of meansassociated with said leaf-stripping means for removing the stemmedleaves therefrom, one of said means being placed in the channel of saidleaf-stripping means and the other of said means being placed at theouter edges of said leaf-stripping means.

7. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a beltprovided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said meansbeing formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating beltfor pressing the leaves upon said leaf-stripping means, means to engagethe stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, a plurality of meansassociated with said leaf-stripping means for removing the stemmedleaves therefrom, one of said means being placed in the channel of saidleafstripping means and the other of said means being placed adjacentthe outer edge of said leaf-stripping means, and guiding means for saidfirst-named removing means.

8. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belt havingleaf-stripping means adjacent theedge thereof, stemgripping meanstraveling at right angles to said belt to seize the stems and draw themfrom said leaves, and a second belt operatively associated with saidfirst-named belt to separate any unstemmed leaves from those that havebeen properly stemmed. I

9. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a 'belt forconveying tobacco leaves into operating positions, a second beltoperatively related to said first belt, means for cleaning the stems ofsaid leaves while the latter are held between said first and secondbelts, a third belt, leafstripping means secured to said third belt,stem-gripping means for drawing said leaves over said stripping means,means operatively related to said first belt for removing any leaveswhich have not been properly stripped and means for causing saidgripping means to move continuously and all of said belts to moveintermittently and in timed relation with said grippingbars.

10. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, means forconveying tobacco leaves into operating position, means to strip saidleaves, stem-gripping means traveling at right angles to the directionof movement of said stripping means and adapted to draw said leavesthereover, means comprising a second belt operatively related to saidfirst means to remove any leaves which have not been properly stripped,and other means also associated with said first means for assisting inthe last-named operation.

11. A tobacco stripping machine compnsing, in combination,. aleaf-conveying beltand a separate leaf-stripping belt, drums supportingsaid belts, the shafts of said drums being substantially horizontal, aframe extending at right angles to said belts, two pairs of smallsprocket wheels supported on said frame adjacent corresponding edges ofsaid belts, two pairs of relatively large sprocket wheels supported onsaid frame, two pairs of chains mounted on said wheels, means to drivesaid sprocket wheels and chains continuously, a lurality of pairs ofgripping-bars mounte on each pair of chains, said gripping-bars havingco-operating faces adapted to be brought into engagement as said barstravel rearwardly over said small sprocket wheels, and means associatedwith said driving means for causing an intermittent operation of saidbelts.

12. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belthaving leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, a second beltadapted to co-operate with said leaf-stripping means, a third beltoperatively related to said first-named belt for removing leaves whichhave failed to be operated upon, and stem-gripping means traveling atright angles to said belts for drawing the stem over said leaf-strippingmeans and between said first and second-named belts.

13. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, anintermittently operated conveying belt, a second belt operativelyrelated to said first belt, means for pressing a portion of said secondbelt upon said conveying belt to hold tobacco leaves therebetween, meansfor cleaning the stems of said leaves while the same are being held, andmeans for stripping the leaves after the same have been conveyed frombetween said belts by a subsequent operation of said conveyer belt.

14. In an apparatus of the character dethe pins thereof, stem scribed,in combination, a belt, leaf stripping means associated with said belt,stem gripping means, means adapted to effect.

relative movement between said stripping and said gripping means,butting means, and means adapted to feed leaves first to the buttingmeans and subsequently to the leaf stripping means.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt,leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means,means adapted to effect relative movement between said stripping andsaid gripping means, butting means, and means adapted to feed leavesfirst to the butting means and subsequently to the leaf stripping means,comprising a plurality of belts between which the leaves are held duringthe butting operation. I,

16. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt,leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem grippingmeans,,means adapted to effect relative movement between said strippingand said grippingmeans, continuously rotating butting means, and meansadapted to feed leaves first to the butting means and subsequently tothe leaf stripping means.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt,leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means,means adapted to effect relative movement between said stripping andsaid gripping means, continuously rotating butting means and meansadapted to feed leaves first to the butting means and subse-' quently tothe leaf stripping means, comprising a plurality of belts between whichthe leaves are held during the butting operation.

18. In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, in combination, a belt,card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem grippingmeans, means 'ada ted to effect relative movement between sai strippingand said gripping means, and a'belt I .the pins thereof, stem grippingmeans,

means adapted to effect relative movement between said stripping andsaid, gripping means, and a belt ada ted to lie in said channel at theleaf stripping position.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a belt,card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, havingalongitudinal channel between lpplng means, means adapted to effect reative movement aeaeoe between said stripping and said gripping means,and a belt adapted to lie in said channel at the leaf strippingposition, and closely'adjacent said first mentioned belt.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt,leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means,means adapted to effect intermittent relative movement between saidstripping and said gripping means in timed relation and a second belt insuperposed contiguous relation to said first mentioned belt adapted toconvey leaves to said leaf stripping means.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt,card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem grippingmeans, means adapted to efi'ect relative movement between said strippingand said gripping means and a wire lying in the card-cloth and extendingbeyond the extreme travel of the card-cloth, adapted to cause removal ofthe stripped leaf from said cloth.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt,card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, having alongitudinal channel, stem gripping means, means adapted to eifectrelative movement between said stripping and said gripping means andwires, one of which lies in the card-cloth and extends beyond theextreme travel of the card-cloth adapted to cause removal of thestripped leaf from said cloth, one wire lying in said channel.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt,card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem grippingmeans, means adapted to effect relative movement between said strippingand said gripping means and a wire lying in the card-cloth and extendingbeyond the extreme travel of the card-cloth, adapted to cause removal ofthe stripped leaf from said cloth, and a rotary brush adapted to'contactsaid cloth and remove stripped leaf therefrom.

25. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination acomb-belt intermittently movable in an endless path, a shelf over whichsaid belt moves and a second movable endless belt lying over saidcombbelt and extending beyond said comb-belt at each end. I

26. linen apparatus of the character dein combination a comb-beltintermittently movable in an endless path, a shelf over whichsaid beltmoves and a second movable endless belt lying over said combbelt andextending beyond said comb-belt at each end, said second belt lyingwithin the edges of said comb-belt.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination acomb-belt intermittently movable in an endless path, a shelf over whichsaid belt moves, a second movable endless belt lying over said comb-beltand extending beyond said comb-belt at each end, and a third movableendless belt lying over said second belt, and extending from a pointopposite said comb-belt to a point to one side of the same.

28. A tobacco stripping machine compris ing, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto operate said belt, and a second belt extending beyond one end of thefirst mentioned belt along side said teeth, adapted to feed leavesthereto.

29. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto operate said belt, and a second belt extending beyond each end of thefirst mentioned belt alongside said teeth adapted to feed leaves theretoand therefrom.

30. A tobacco stripping machine "compris ing, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto operate said belt, and a second belt extending beyond each end of thefirst mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto. and therefrom, saidsecond mentioned belt being arranged to expose said teeth to the leaves.

31. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operatesaid belt, and a second belt extending beyondeach end of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto andtherefrom, a ply' of said second mentioned belt being above said firstmentioned belt, and a third belt above said ply adapted to cooperatewith the nnstripped leaf and discharge the same apart from the strippedleaf.

32. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperateto hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operate said belt, and a second belt extending beyondeach end of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto andtherefrom, a ply of said second mentioned belt being above said firstmentioned belt, and a third belt above said ply adapted to cooperatewith the unstripped' leaf and discharge the same apart from the strippedleaf, said third belt being slightly spaced from said ply opposite thestripplng position of the leaves.

33. A tobacco stripping machinecomprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond eachend of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto andtherefrom, a ply of said second mentioned belt being above said firstmentioned belt, and a third belt above said ply adapted to cooperatewith the unstripped leaf and discharge the same apart from the strippedleaf, the inner edge of said third belt being within the inner edge ofsaid second mentioned belt.

34:. A tobacco stripping machine. comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operate said belt, and a rotary brush adapted to clearleaf left in said teeth from the stripping operation.

35. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond eachend of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto and therefrom, and a wire disposed to lift from said second mentioned belt leafremaining thereon from the stripping operation.

36. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means; adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond oneend of the first mentioned belt, adapted to feed leaves thereto, and ashelf adapted to support substantially the full width of said, belts.

37. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond oneend of the first mentioned belt, adapted to feed leaves thereto,abutting device. alongside said second mentioned belt, and means adaptedto cooperate with said second mentioned belt to hold the leaves inposition to be operated on by said butting device.

38; A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operate said belt, a second belt, extending beyond oneend of the first mentioned belt, adapted to feed leaves thereto, arotatable continuously driven butting device alongside said secondmentioned belt, and means adapted to cooperate with said secondmentioned belt to hold the leaves in position to be operated on by saidbutting'device.

39. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination,leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teethassociated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the. leaves inengagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adaptedto intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond oneend of the first mentioned belt, adapted to feed leaves thereto, abutting device alongside said second mentioned belt,

and a belt adapted to cooperate with said second mentioned belt to; holdthe leaves in position to be operated on by said butting device.

40. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a movablefield of stripping teeth, and a clearer wire adjacent said field sodisposed that said teeth transversely move past said wire for a portionof their travel.

41. In amachine of thecharacter described, in combination, a movablefield of stripping teeth, and a clearer wire lying partly in said fieldbelow the outer ends of said teeth and partly outside the path of travelof said teeth.

42. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a movablefield of stripping teeth, a clearer wire lying partly in said fieldbelow the outer ends of said teeth and partly outside the path of travelofsaid teeth, and a second clearer wire in front of said field anddisposed so that said teeth move transversely past the same for aportion of their travel.

43. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a field ofstripping Gil the teeth and extending outside the path of movementthereof.

, 44. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a fieldof stripping teeth movable in an endless path, means cooperative topress the leaf into engagement with said teeth, a wire lyinglongitudinally in said field below the outer ends of the teeth I andextending outside the path of movement thereof, and a second wire lyinglongitudinally at the side of said field and extending outside the pathof movement thereof.

45. A tobacco stripping machine com-prising, in combination, an endlessbelt having a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, meanscooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, and asecond endless feed belt one ply of which lies on' said first mentionedbelt in front of said field, said second belt extending beyond the firstbelt at each end of the-latter.

46. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, an endlessbelt having a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, a

wire lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends of saidteeth and extending outside the path of movement of said teeth, meanscooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, and asecond endless feed belt lying alongside said field.

47. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, an endlessbelt having a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, a wire lyinglongitudinally in said field below the outer ends of said teeth andextending outside the path of movement of said teeth, means cooperativeto press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, and a second endlessfeed belt lying alongside said field on said first-mentioned belt.

48. In a mechanism of the character de-- chored to said material, andmeans adapted to cooperate with said belt in front of said field tendingto restrain buckling of said belt under the force applied to said teethby the operation of drawing.

49. In a mechanism of the character described, in combination, strippingmechanism and drawing mechanism. the former comprising an endless beltof flexible material having a field of stripping teeth anchored to saidmaterial, and means comprising a second belt lying on saidfirst-mentioned belt in front of said field tending to restrain bucklingof said belt under the force applied to said teeth by the operation ofdrawing.

50. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of mechanismpresenting a pair of superposed co acting substantially. continuousstripping mediums interlocked and traveling in the same direction as thefeeding means at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizingthe stems and drawing them through the stripping mediums.

51. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position of mechanism resentinga substantially continuous stripplng medium travelling in the samedirection as the feeding means at stripping position, and cooperatingmeans for seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the strippingmedium.

52. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with a belt forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of mechanismpresenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travellingalongside and in the same direction as the feed belt at strippingposition, and cooperating ineans for seizing the leaf stems and drawingthem through the stripping medium.

53. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with a pair ofsuperposed belts the upper belt being shorter than the lower for feedingtobacco leaves to stem stripping position between the belts, ofmechanism presenting a. substantially continuous stripping mediumtravelling alongslde and in the same direction as the feed belts atstripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems anddrawing them through the stripping medium.

54. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair ofco-acting devices presenting a substantially continuous stripping mediumtravelling alongside and in the same direction as the feeding means atstripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the stems anddrawing them through the stripping devices. 55. In a tobacco stemmingmachine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stemstripping position, of a pair of superposed coacting devices presentingasubstantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and inthe same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, andcooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through thestripping devices.

56. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of devicespresenting a pair of coacting substantially continuous stripping mediumstravelling alongside and inthe same direction as the feeding means atstripping posi- T tion,

and cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through thestripping mediums.

57. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of mechanismpresenting a substantially continuous stripping, medium travellingalongside and in the same direction as the feeding means at strippingposition, and cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing themthrough the stripping mechanism in a direction different from that inwhich the feeding means travels.

58. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of machanismpresenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travellingalongside and in the same direction and at substantially the same speedas the feeding means at stripping position, and cooperating means forseizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium.

59. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to leaf stripping position, of mechanismpresenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travellingalongside and in the same direction as the feeding means at strippingposition, cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems and drawing themthrough the stripping medium, and means for operating said mechanism toclear the stripping medium of strip.

60. In a tobacco stemming machine, combination with means for feedingtobacco leaves to leaf stripping position, of mechanism presenting asubstantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and inthe same direction as the feeding means at stripping position,cooperating means for 1 seizing the leaf stems and drawing them throughthe stripping medium, and means for operating said mechanism to clearthe stripping medium of strip arranged to be brought into actionimmediately after the stripping operation is completed.

61. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to leaf stripping position, of mechanismpresenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travellingalongside and in the same direction and at substantially the same speedas the feeding means at stripping position, cooperating means forseizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium,and means cooperative with the feeding means for clearing the strippingmedium of strip.

62. In a tobacco stemming machine, the

, combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem strippingposition, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous strlppingmedium travelling in the same dithe I cooperating means for seizing thecombination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem strippingposition, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous strippingmedium traveling in the same direction as the feeding means at strippingposition, cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems and drawing themthrough the stripping medium, a rotary butting brush operative alongsidesaid feed means in advance of said stripping medium, a presser beltadapted to cooperate and move with said feed means to hold the leavesfor action of said brush, and a belt adapted to cooperate with saidfeeding means and to seperate unstemmed leaf from stemmed leaf.

6ei. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair ofsuperposed coacting devices presenting a substantially continuousstripping medium traveling alongside and in the same direction as thefeeding means at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing thestems and drawing them through the stripping devices, and a belt adaptedto cooperate with said feeding means and to separate unstemmed leaf fromstemmed leaf.

65. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair ofsuperposed coacting belts presenting a substantially continuousstripping medium in parallel planes alongside and traveling in the samedirection as the feed ng means at stripping position, and cooperatingmeans for seizing the stems and drawing them through the strippingdevices.

66. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair ofsuperposed coacting belts presenting a substantially continuousstripping medium in parallel planes alongside and traveling in the samedirection as t e feeding means at stripping position, cooperat ng meansfor seizing the stems and drawing them through the Stripping devices,and a belt adapted to cooperate with said feeding means and to separateunstemmed leaf from stemmed leaf.

67. In a tobacco stemmin combination with means for feeding tobaccoleavesto stem stripping position, of a pair of devices presenting a pairof coacting submachine, the.

travelling in the same direction as the feed ing means at strippingposition, cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing themthrough the stripping mediums, and a wire at the stripping positionadapted to clear the stripping mediums of stripped leaf.

68. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of devicespresenting a pair of coacting substantially continuous stripping mediumstravelling in the same direction as the feeding means at strippingposition, cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing themthrough the stripping mediums, and a wire at the stripping positionadapted to clear the stripping mediums of stripped leaf, said wire lyingin the stripping medium.

69. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding to bacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of devicespresentinga pair of coacting substantially continuous stripping me diumsin parallel planes and traveling in the same direction as the feedingmeans at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing the stems anddrawing them through the stripping mediums, .and a wire at the strippingposition adapted to clear the stripping medium of stripped leaf.

70. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means forfeeding to bacco leaves to stem stripping position, of

strippin position adapted to clear the stripping me ium of strippedleaf.

71. A tobacco stripping machine compris ing, in combination a movablefield of stripping teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf intoengagement with said teeth and a separate movable leaf carrying beltlying close alongside said field to support andv carry the blades.

72. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination a movablefield of stripping teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf intoengagement with said teeth, and a separate movable leaf carrying beltlying close alongside said field and extending throughout the length ofthe strippmg field to support and carry the unstripped leaf towardsstripping position and the stripped blades from stripping position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN O. MORRIS.

Witnesses:

AUGUSTUS W. KELLEY, Jr., WALTER J. GILL, Jr.

